Practice 20 Rangeland Management MCQs with answers. Covers grazing systems, carrying capacity, desertification, forage, and Pakistan’s rangelands.
🌾 Batch 7: Rangeland Management
MCQs 221–240
221. Rangelands are best defined as:
(A) Agricultural croplands
(B) Uncultivated lands providing forage for livestock and wildlife
(C) Forest plantations
(D) Irrigated farmlands
Correct Answer: (B) Uncultivated lands providing forage for livestock and wildlife
Explanation: Rangelands include grasslands, shrublands, and open woodlands used mainly for grazing.
222. The most extensive rangeland ecosystem in the world is:
(A) Tundra
(B) Grasslands
(C) Deserts
(D) Savannas
Correct Answer: (B) Grasslands
Explanation: Grasslands cover vast areas and are the primary rangelands worldwide.
223. Overgrazing leads to:
(A) Increased soil fertility
(B) Soil erosion and desertification
(C) Higher biodiversity
(D) Reduced water run-off
Correct Answer: (B) Soil erosion and desertification
Explanation: Continuous overgrazing depletes vegetation and degrades soil health.
224. The carrying capacity of a rangeland refers to:
(A) Number of cattle a farmer owns
(B) Maximum number of animals the land can support sustainably
(C) Area of rangeland
(D) Annual rainfall
Correct Answer: (B) Maximum number of animals the land can support sustainably
Explanation: Carrying capacity balances grazing with ecological sustainability.
225. The dominant vegetation in rangelands is:
(A) Trees
(B) Shrubs
(C) Grasses and herbs
(D) Orchards
Correct Answer: (C) Grasses and herbs
Explanation: Grasses form the major forage base of rangelands.
226. Which management practice improves degraded rangelands?
(A) Overgrazing
(B) Rotational grazing
(C) Continuous grazing
(D) Excessive burning
Correct Answer: (B) Rotational grazing
Explanation: Rotational grazing allows vegetation recovery and maintains forage quality.
227. The Thar Desert of Pakistan is considered a:
(A) Forest
(B) Rangeland
(C) Agricultural hub
(D) Urban land
Correct Answer: (B) Rangeland
Explanation: Thar desert supports grazing of camels, goats, and sheep.
228. Which factor affects rangeland productivity the most?
(A) Rainfall
(B) Latitude
(C) Soil pH only
(D) Human population density
Correct Answer: (A) Rainfall
Explanation: Precipitation determines plant growth and carrying capacity of rangelands.
229. A mixture of grasses, shrubs, and scattered trees in rangelands is called:
(A) Savanna
(B) Steppe
(C) Prairie
(D) Tundra
Correct Answer: (A) Savanna
Explanation: Savannas occur in tropical regions and support both grazing and browsing.
230. The main cause of desertification in rangelands is:
(A) Controlled burning
(B) Overgrazing and deforestation
(C) Proper management
(D) Soil fertility improvement
Correct Answer: (B) Overgrazing and deforestation
Explanation: These human-induced factors disturb vegetation cover and soil balance.
231. Which country has the largest rangeland area?
(A) USA
(B) China
(C) Australia
(D) Brazil
Correct Answer: (C) Australia
Explanation: Australia has vast rangelands used mainly for sheep and cattle grazing.
232. Palatable forage plants are those which:
(A) Animals avoid
(B) Are eaten and preferred by grazing animals
(C) Cause toxicity in animals
(D) Grow only in forests
Correct Answer: (B) Are eaten and preferred by grazing animals
Explanation: Palatability is a key factor in forage selection by livestock.
233. Which of the following is a browse plant for goats in Pakistan’s rangelands?
(A) Acacia
(B) Eucalyptus
(C) Conifers
(D) Mango
Correct Answer: (A) Acacia
Explanation: Acacia shrubs and trees are important browse plants for goats and camels.
234. The scientific study of range ecosystems is called:
(A) Agronomy
(B) Rangeland Ecology
(C) Silviculture
(D) Dendrology
Correct Answer: (B) Rangeland Ecology
Explanation: It deals with relationships between rangeland vegetation, animals, and environment.
235. Controlled burning in rangeland management is used to:
(A) Destroy soil nutrients
(B) Improve seed germination and control weeds
(C) Increase desertification
(D) Reduce grazing capacity
Correct Answer: (B) Improve seed germination and control weeds
Explanation: Fire is used carefully as a management tool in some ecosystems.
236. Which animal is considered best adapted for desert rangelands?
(A) Cows
(B) Camels
(C) Sheep
(D) Buffalo
Correct Answer: (B) Camels
Explanation: Camels tolerate heat, drought, and feed on thorny shrubs in deserts.
237. The method used to estimate forage availability in rangelands is:
(A) Line transect method
(B) Quadrat method
(C) Weight estimation method
(D) All of these
Correct Answer: (D) All of these
Explanation: Multiple sampling techniques are used depending on vegetation type.
238. Which Pakistani province has the largest rangeland area?
(A) Punjab
(B) Balochistan
(C) Sindh
(D) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Correct Answer: (B) Balochistan
Explanation: Balochistan has about 60% of Pakistan’s rangelands.
239. The practice of using both trees and grazing animals on the same land is called:
(A) Silviculture
(B) Agroforestry
(C) Social forestry
(D) Forestry alone
Correct Answer: (B) Agroforestry
Explanation: Agroforestry integrates trees with crops/livestock for multiple benefits.
240. Pakistan’s rangelands cover approximately:
(A) 20% of land area
(B) 50% of land area
(C) 60% of land area
(D) 70% of land area
Correct Answer: (C) 60% of land area
Explanation: Nearly 60% of Pakistan’s land is rangeland, crucial for livestock economy.